Everything You Need Know About James Cameron’s Terminator Trilogy Plans

What will the film focus on and who will star? Find out here...

James Cameron wants to return to the franchise where he made his name.

James Cameron wants to return to the movies where he made his name with a brand new trilogy of Terminator movies involving the great man himself.

After the absolute shit show that was Terminator Genisys, Cameron has had enough of crappy movies making money off his hard work and wants back in on the franchise with plans afoot for an entirely new trilogy.

“I am in discussions with David Ellison, who is the current rights holder globally for the Terminator franchise,” Cameron told News.com.au.

“He and I are talking about what we can do. Right now we are leaning toward doing a three-film arc and reinventing it.”

Jim Cam’s comments prompt more questions than answers though. Like what the hell will the new trilogy focus on, how will he make these on top of a billion more Avatar movies and how exactly are they going to shoehorn Arnold Schwarzenegger into proceedings?

Fortunately, loaded has done some digging and come up with answers to pretty much everything you need to know about this new Terminator trilogy and a few things you probably don’t need to know as well.

Cameron does not appear to be entirely sure, but it may involve drones:

“The question is — has the franchise run its course or can it be freshened up? Can it still have relevance now where so much of our world is catching up to what was science fiction in the first two films. We live in a world of predator drones and surveillance and big data and emergent AI (artificial intelligence).”

One possibility is a series of films focusing on a young Kyle Reese, Michael Biehn’s character in the first Terminator movie. Biehn has discussed the idea and rumour has it Cameron is exploring the possibility of resurrecting the original cast using computer animation technology to make them appear like their 80s selves.

Will Arnie get in on the action?

Even more Arnie? Schwarzenegger has already signed on for more Terminators.

Schwarzenegger has been chomping at the bit to return to the franchise ever since he left public office and was definitely one of the best things about the largely terrible Genisys effort.

The good news is that he is already confirmed to feature in the new films. It’s not clear whether he will star or cameo in the them and it’s difficult to determine whether that’s a good or a bad thing.

When will the film be set?

Given the current penchant for 80s set actioners – Atomic Blonde and Wonder Woman 2 – a film harking back to the neon-lit glory days of the first movie may fit in well with current tastes. They’ve pretty much explored every other possible avenue.

Will any other old Terminator stars return?

Another tricky question. Given that Linda Hamilton has semi-retired from acting and had her character killed off in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, her involvement looks unlikely especially given the fact she has married and divorced Cameron in the time since the second film.

As for Edward Furlong, well that’s even less likely – he’s not appeared in a film or TV show for two years now and continues to be struggle with personal issues. Christian Bale probably won’t be back either, much to the relief of the lighting crew.

There’s a possibility Biehn could reprise his role as Reece in some capacity, with the actor always open to the idea of working with Cameron again as so many often are.

Could Michael Biehn come back? It's a possibility

Will James Cameron direct the films?

Probably not. He’s got a lot on his plate with plans afoot for four Avatar sequels, which are being filmed back to back. If anything, having Cameron on board would only delay the project further.

However, it appears he will be having a more hands-on role in the shaping of the trilogy, having previously stepped back and allowed several monumental messes to emerge in his absence.

Will it actually stretch to a trilogy?

Don’t count on it. Bale’s Terminator Salvation was supposed to be the start of a trilogy, as was Genisys. The one consolation is that the death of the latter franchise at least ensured we got not more Jai Courteney.

So at least one movie will happen.

Will it tie into any of the previous sequels?

Terminator is this the last we'll see of the series? Image Paramount

Given that Genisys and Salvation tied into the original two movies, Cameron could opt to reboot things with a story entirely separate from the existing universe of Terminator, which has become increasingly muddled in the wake of Terminator Genisys.

When will the trilogy commence?

It’s likely that another Terminator movie won’t arrive until 2020 at the earliest, given how busy Cameron is putting the finishing touches to the first Avatar sequel, which has already been hampered by delays.